An evaluation of the effect of Physician Assistants on medical students and residents
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Date
2016
Authors
Walker, Tiffany
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
Objective
Many sites that employ Physician Assistants (PAs) within Manitoba are medical
teaching facilities. This study aimed to evaluate medical student and resident perceptions
of PAs. Four major topics were addressed in this study; the impact of the PA on the
medical learner, the PA role, the competency of the PA, and the overall reduction of
workload with a PA on service.
Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire was distributed to 220 medical students in their
third or fourth year, and 150 first year residents enrolled at the University of Manitoba.
Participants who self-indicated they had rotated through a service which employs a PA
were included in this study.
Results
Results from this study were generally positive. From the perspective of medical
learners, PAs were perceived to be competent (83.6%) and promote continuity of care
(72.4%). Participants indicated daily interactions with the PAs on service (85.7%) with
adequate collaboration (73.5%) and communication (79.6%).
Results regarding the PA role were indeterminate, with only 39.5% of participants
having indicated a defined role for the PA on service, while 85.8% had indicated the PA
role overlapped with their own. Overall only half (50.1%) of participants felt like the
PAs aided in their medical training. Conclusion
This study showed that PAs have had some impact on medical education, but a
clear benefit could not be determined. While PAs in Manitoba are meeting the points
indicated in the quality initiatives and resident work hour reduction, there is a
considerable disagreement when it comes a defined role and hierarchy of PAs.